Best Practice Case Studies-Case 131 Asset 3 Eye Injuries in Sports

Pdf Summary

The document explains that sports-related eye injuries are common in the U.S., especially among children, and that most are preventable. It groups sports by eye-injury risk: low-risk (such as swimming, gymnastics, cycling, and track and field), high-risk (sports involving balls, bats, sticks, racquets, pucks, or body contact), and very-high-risk (boxing, wrestling, and contact martial arts).<br /><br />It describes three main types of eye injuries:<br />- Blunt trauma, when something strikes the eye and causes bruising or a black eye<br />- Penetrating injuries, when something cuts or enters the eye<br />- Radiation injury, usually from ultraviolet sunlight exposure<br /><br />The document warns not to rub the eye, apply pressure, remove an object stuck in the eye, or use ointments/medication on your own. Medical care should be sought immediately for symptoms such as blurry or lost vision, intense pain, light sensitivity, blood in the eye, abnormal pupil size, discharge, cuts near the eye, an object in the eye, or swelling that closes the eye.<br /><br />A sports medicine physician will examine the eye, often using drops and a funduscopic exam, and may flush the eye or remove a foreign object. Severe cases may require referral to an ophthalmologist. Common treatments include cold compresses, antibiotic eye drops, other eye drops, and sometimes an eye patch.<br /><br />Prevention is emphasized through proper eye protection, especially impact-resistant 3 mm polycarbonate lenses in safety glasses or goggles. Sunglasses can help prevent UV-related injury. Athletes should not return to play until cleared by a doctor and should avoid playing with impaired vision or by using pain medicine to mask symptoms.

Meta Tag

Edition 4th Edition

Related Case 4th Edition, Case 131

Topic HEENT

Keywords

sports eye injuries

eye protection

blunt trauma

penetrating injuries

radiation injury

polycarbonate lenses

sports medicine

ophthalmologist referral

ultraviolet exposure

preventive safety goggles

4th Edition

4th Edition, Case 131

HEENT